Adam Ashley-Cooper of the Waratahs runs the ball during the round seven Super Rugby match between the Waratahs and the Force at Allianz Stadium on March 31, 2013 in Sydney, Australia. Cameron Spencer / Getty Images

Ashley-Cooper scores try in his 100th Super Rugby match

WALLABY star Adam Ashley-Cooper celebrated his 100th Super Rugby game with a try that helped the Waratahs beat the Western Force 23-19 in Sydney on Sunday.

Cooper, who had made 78 appearances for the Brumbies before joining the Tahs last year, scored the Blues' lone try in the 46th minute of a match dominated by penalties.

Waratahs scrumhalf Brendan McKibbin slotted six penalties, while South African five-eighth Sias Ebersohn kicked four - the hosts led 15-9 at half-time, with all the points coming from the boots of McKibbin and Ebersohn.

Force prop Salesi Ma'afu also spent 10 minutes in the sin bin for a high tackle on Tatafu Polota-Nau during the first 40 minutes.

The Tahs led 23-9 after Ashley-Cooper finished off a break from Israel Folau before Force full-back Alfie Mafi dragged his side back into the game with his fifth try of the year to set up an exciting finish as the Tahs held on to record back-to-back wins for the first time since round nine last season.

"It was tough, we made it hard on ourselves," Waratahs captain Dave Dennis said.

"We didn't perform how we wanted to in some areas."

"There wasn't a lot between us ... but we have got the points and it worked out well."

The Tahs head overseas for the first time this season this week when they travel to Wellington to take on the Hurricanes while the Force host the Rebels.